Certification by Treasurer of Compliance with Meeting Requirements Rules

Transcription

1 Geneva Area City Board of Education December 16, 2015 The Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., December 16, 2015, at the High School Auditorium. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Visitors & Guests: Mr. Arndt, Mr. Behm, Mr. Brashear, Mr. Dana, Mrs. Wilt, Superintendent Kujala, and Treasurer Lillie None Principals Burzanko, Doherty, Penzenik, and Wetherholt; Assistant Principals Anderson and Markijohn; Scott Sidoti, Director of Technology/Operations; GATA and OAPSE representatives; newspaper reporter and other citizens Certification by Treasurer of Compliance with Meeting Requirements Rules Executive Session Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, that the Board hold an executive session for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee. Went into executive session at 7:02 p.m. Returned from executive session at 7:20 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Behm, Brashear, Dana, and Wilt. Motion carried. Pledge of Allegiance Correspondence Agenda Modification Hearing of Public Approval of Minutes President Behm led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was none. There were none. None Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, to approve the minutes of the regular session on November 18, 2015, as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Dana, Wilt, and Arndt. Motion carried. 1

2 Financial Report Approval of Invoices Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to approve the November, 2015 financial report as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Wilt, Arndt, and Behm. Motion carried. Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, to approve the November, 2015 invoices as paid and listed by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Dana, Wilt, Arndt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. Informational Items - Current Investments (see addendum file) Mr. Lillie distributed a summary from the Ohio School Facilities Commission and updated the Board on the project close-out. Legislative Report Mr. Dana reported that President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) on December 10, 2015, which passed the U.S. House and Senate with bi-partisan support. The law ends the Race to the Top program linked to Common Core Standards, and it is hoped that this new law will not force local schools to teach to the test. Testing will still occur with requirements that all children be tested annually between grades 3-8 and at least once during high school, but the ESSA gives more flexibility to individual states as to how this testing will occur. Funding issues will continue to be a concern, as the federal government never came closer than 75% of the funds promised with No Child Left Behind. There are further concerns as to how states will use federal dollars, especially regarding the possible expansion of charter schools and trying to enhance educational opportunities for the less fortunate. Mr. Dana noted that since our last meeting, no major state legislation has been enacted impacting schools, but he wanted to highlight a few bills currently pending in the Ohio Legislature. HB 55, pending in the House Education Committee, makes changes to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. SB 250 proposes to prohibit community schools from using state money to pay for advertising, recruiting, and promotional materials. HB 114 passed the House and is currently in a Senate Committee (with a corresponding bill, SB 125) and would permit the use of a barricade device on school doors. This is a bill that reminds us about the importance of school safety. A-Tech Report Mr. Brashear had no report, as the meeting is next Monday. Report of the Superintendent Geneva s Image Mr. Kujala introduced the Geneva s Image, noting that as a former member of the GI s, it always gives him great pleasure to hear them sing. 2

3 This is an extremely busy time of year for them, as just in the last two days, they have performed six times. It s a pleasure to have the Geneva s Image here with us tonight. Members of the Geneva s Image show choir under the direction of Michelle Mather gave a short holiday performance. Bus/Maint. Garage Update Mr. Sidoti reported that renovations to the Krzic building were 75% complete. The overall energy efficiency of the building has been greatly improved with added insulation, new LED lighting, and a new heat pump HVAC system with controls. The south area of the building intentionally remains unfinished, as it will be used as a construction trailer for the Bus/Maintenance Garage. The project budget for Krzic has been reduced from $165,000 to about $66,000. After the initial Bus/Maintenance Garage project went out to bid and a construction estimate of $2.4 million was provided by the engineer, the initial plans were abandoned and an effort began to get the project within an acceptable budget. Modifications included reducing the building size by 30%, connecting the building to Krzic, tying electrical and water service to Krzic, changing from a shingled roof to a slight pitch membrane-style roof, and utilizing the Krzic restrooms and office space. New estimates for the project are around $1 million, with additional engineering services of only $31,500 for re-design. Again, the project is being funded with PI Funds and the Construction Improvement Fund. Mr. Dana asked about the life span of a shingled roof versus a slight pitch membrane-style roof. Mr. Sidoti said they were basically the same. Mr. Brashear asked what the warranty was on the membrane-style roof. Mr. Sidoti replied that it was 30 years. Mr. Kujala thanked Serge Grenier for his work with the District on construction projects while contracted through the ACESC to provide consultant services. His contract is not being renewed through ACESC, but if his services are needed in the future, we will enter into a contract directly with his business on a per-hour basis. Mr. Kujala thanked Serge for many years of dedicated service and noted that he is from Geneva and has a love for the schools/community, and it shows. Mr. Kujala explained how a number of weeks ago, he spoke to Serge about approaching the city in regards to the sewer line for the proposed future BOE building. Houses were being built on the corner properties of Woodridge, so Serge contacted the city and the timing was perfect. We were able to coordinate with the city and have a 6 sewer line installed to the manhole on our property, about 7 to 10 deep, capped and ready for future use. There will be no concern with securing the right-ofway or easement later. 3

4 Amend Engineering Contract Resolution State Co-op Purchasing Program Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, approval of the Amendment to the Contract for SEL 1335 for Additional Engineering Services for School Bus/ Maintenance Garage II, SEL 1396 (see addendum file). Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Arndt, Behm, Brashear, and Dana. Motion carried. Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, the following resolution: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENEVA AREA CITY SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE OF OHIO COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM WHEREAS, Ohio s Cooperative Purchasing Act. (AM. Sub. H.B. No. 100), as signed into law on December 4, 1985; and WHEREAS, effective March 6, 1986, Ohio s Cooperative Purchasing Act provides the opportunity for counties, townships, municipal corporations, regional transit authorities, regional airport authorities or port authorities and school districts, conservancy districts, township park districts and park districts and other authorities, to participate in contracts distributed by the state of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Office of Cooperative Purchasing for the purchase of supplies, services, equipment and certain materials; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Section 1. The Treasurer hereby requests authority in the name of the Geneva Area City School District to participate in state contracts which the Department of Administrative Services, Office of State Purchasing has entered into and the Office of Cooperative Purchasing has distributed for the purchase of supplies, services, equipment and certain other materials pursuant to Revised Code Section Section 2. That the Treasurer is hereby authorized to agree in the name of the Geneva Area City School District to be bound by all contract terms and conditions as the Department of Administrative Services, Office of Cooperative Purchasing prescribes. Such terms and conditions may include a reasonable annual membership fee to cover the administrative costs which the Department of Administrative Services incurs as a result of Geneva Area City School District s participation in the contract. Further, that the Treasurer does hereby agree to be bound by all such terms and conditions and to not cause or assist in any way the misuse of such contracts or make contract disclosures to non-members of the Coop for the purpose of avoiding the requirements established by ORC Section 3. That the Treasurer is hereby authorized to agree in the name of the Geneva Area City School District to directly pay the vendor, under each such state contract in which it participates for items it receives pursuant to the contract, and the Treasurer does hereby agree to directly pay the vendor. 4

5 Mr. Lillie explained that this resolution was necessary to enable the District to take advantage of state bid pricing. Previously, the District only used the state co-op when purchasing vehicles or tractors. We currently need to replace a tractor, but will be using state bid regularly to purchase HVAC and plumbing equipment. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Behm, Brashear, Dana, and Wilt. Motion carried. Athletic Petty Cash Account Guidelines Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, that the Athletic Petty Cash Account Guidelines be amended to change the account from Andover Bank to ArbiterPay, effective January 1, 2016, and authorize the Treasurer to make an initial deposit of $3,000 with ArbiterPay. The Andover Bank account will be phased out as checks are reconciled. Mr. Lillie informed the Board that the OHSAA was moving toward using Arbiter to pay officials for all sports events. Our new conference has decided to make it mandatory for all members to use Arbiter beginning January 1, For Geneva, it just means changing our Athletic Petty Cash Account from Andover Bank to Arbiter, which uses the Bank of Utah. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Dana, Wilt, and Arndt. Motion carried Personnel Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, the following personnel actions for the school year. a. FMLA LOA Elizabeth A. Gurley, Teacher, leave of absence from 01/19/16 through 04/15/16. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. Alisa J. Schroeder, Teacher, leave of absence from 11/10/15 through 11/17/15. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. Patricia A. Sturm, Bus Driver, intermittent leave of absence from 09/25/15.This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. b. Retirement Resignations Roberta J. Gray, Teacher, effective 07/01/16 Mrs. Gray has been with Geneva Schools for 43 years. c. Change of Contract Cheryl L. Burhenne, Payroll Clerk, Central Office, 12 mos./year, from 7 hrs./day to 8 hrs./day, effective 01/04/16 5

6 Karen B. Korn from Educational Assistant, High School, 3.5 hrs./day, 9 mos./year to Secretary, Geneva Platt R. Spencer, 7 hrs./day, 10 mos./year, effective 11/23/15 Amy D. Richmond, Central Office, 12 mos./year, from Payroll Assistant, 7 hrs./day to Superintendent s Secretary, 8 hrs./day, effective 01/04/16 Shari D. Rooney, 9 mos./year, from Educational Assistant, Middle School, 3.75 hrs./day to Special Needs Assistant, Cork Elementary, hours-to-be-assigned, 5 days/wk., effective 12/01/15 d. The hiring of the following personnel on a one-year contract, to be paid according to the adopted wage guidelines, subject to meeting certification requirements of the State of Ohio, as well as a satisfactory physical examination, background check and/or other training, if applicable. 1) Special Needs Assistant Sara K. Hyde, Austinburg Preschool, hours-to-be-assigned, 4 days/wk., 9 mos./year, effective 12/07/15 2) Substitute Teacher Debbie J. Andres Erin A. Drenik Aimee L. Gilbert Kelsey M. Kincaid 3) Adult Substitute Secretary and Educational Assistant Deborah J. Torok 4) Substitute Bus Driver Elissa M. Vavpetic 5) Substitute Custodian II/III Cynthia R. Peck 6

7 6) Activity Workers, effective 12/01/15 Ashley Burgard (stu) Austin Inman (stu) Kiara Rice (stu) Mr. Kujala shared that he previously worked with Mrs. Gray when he taught three years at the former Spencer Elementary. She is a wonderful person, an excellent teacher, and someone who has adapted her skills and teaching methods over her career. He wishes her all the best in her final year hoping it is a memorable one for her and also wishes her the very best in her retirement. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Wilt, Arndt, and Behm. Motion carried. Volunteer Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, Board approval of the following volunteer coach for the school year. Patricia Walker - Swimming Roll Call: YES: Dana, Wilt, Arndt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. Organizational Meeting Other Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, that Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. be established for the 2016 Organizational meeting at the Board of Education office, and that Mrs. Wilt be appointed as President Pro-Tempore for this meeting. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Behm, Brashear, and Dana. ABSTAIN: Wilt. Motion carried. Mr. Kujala thanked Mr. Behm for his 16 years of dedicated service to Geneva Schools. His pride in the schools and the community shows, and we appreciate all of his time and efforts. We have a small token of our appreciation to give him, and we also have a cake to share after tonight s meeting in recognition of Mr. Behm s years of service. Mr. Brashear read a prepared statement: When I first expressed a desire to become a school board member, most people warned me that although a noble calling, it is also a thankless position. Tonight, Ford, we all say thank you for the time you have so selflessly given. We appreciate the sacrifice and expertise that you have provided in your 16 years of service to the Geneva Area City Schools and our young people. And if this is truly a thankless undertaking, then rest assured that you have many rewards in knowing that you have always acted in the best interests of our students. As the senior member of our board for several years, we have relied upon your experience and sage advice to help guide us through many difficult paths. Your calm, 7

8 insightful, and pointed contributions have been instrumental in the success our district has enjoyed. You have been an integral part in improving our community and an example of our social responsibility. Perhaps as important as your actions are the motives that drive your passions. You simply do it because it is the right thing to do. It has been said that a life of service to others is a life fulfilled. We are truly grateful that you chose the Board of Education as one of your ways to serve and sincerely hope you have found a sense of fulfillment. Mr. Dana said that Mr. Behm does many things behind the scenes that people don t know. He asked the students in the audience how many had been a part of Geneva Rotary s Breakfast of Champions, recognizing the top 25 students in each class at Geneva High School, and which Mr. Behm was instrumental in starting? Mr. Behm then read from a prepared statement: I got involved as a board member because I wanted to help with the construction of our new schools and to work toward becoming an excellent school district. We have worked together to complete these goals and Geneva Area City Schools is in capable hands as we strive toward new and ever changing opportunities. It has been an honor and privilege to serve for the past 16 years with three Superintendents, Mr. Lillie, 10 outstanding Board members, and our wonderful staff. I would like to thank my wife Debbie and my family for their support. And finally, a big thank you to all of you for what you do for our students. Thank you. Executive Session Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, that the Board hold an executive session for the purpose of a conference with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. We will conduct no further business after the executive session. Mr. Kujala announced that prior to our executive session, please join us in the cafeteria for a piece of cake to recognize Mr. Behm. We have asked Mr. Penzenik for assistance in serving the cake in the cafeteria area. Went into executive session at 8:30 p.m. Returned from executive session at 9:27 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Behm, Brashear, Dana, and Wilt. Motion carried. 8

9 Adjournment Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, to adjourn the regular session at 9:28 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Dana, Wilt, and Arndt. Motion carried. The foregoing is a true and accurate record of the minutes and proceedings of the regular session held by the Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District on December 16,